Lunch-box.



No. 640,933. Patented lan. 9, |900. A. J. USBORNE.

b LVUNCH BOX. (No Modem Apphcmn led sepa. 21u99.,

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|| lllllI 1 Y" ilrviTnn STATES FnTnnT ADELIA J. OSBORNE, OF POMGNA, CALIFORNIA.

LU NCH=BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,933, dated January 9, 1900.

Application led September 20, 1899. Serial lio. 731,097, (No model.)

erence being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in lunch-boxes; and it has for its object the general improvement in this class of devices, the special object of the invention being to provide a compartment lunch-box so constructed as to permit ventilation and the free circulation of air within airspaces surrounding the inner compartments containing the food.

The invention has for a further object the provision of shutters, which may either be employed to cover the ventilation-openings or maybe folded upward and held by the anged cover of the box, so as not to obstruct ventilation.

To these ends and to such others as the invention may pertain, the same consists in the novel construction and in the peculiar arrangement, combination, and adaptation of parts, all as more fully hereinafter described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and then specifically defined in the appended claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated inl the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form part of this application, like letters of reference indicating the same parts throughout the several views, and in which drawings- Figure l is a perspective view of a lunchbox embodying my improvements, parts being broken away in order to better illustrate the construction. Fig. 2 is a central vertical sec tion of the same.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the outer box, which is provided at its ends with openings B, said openings being covered by fine wire screens which will freely admit the entrance of air. The bottom of the box is also preferably provided with air-openings CL. Loosely fitting within the outer box A is an inner box C, said inner box having its ends cut away, as shown at (Y, these recesses or cutaway spaces at the ends of the inner box being designed to register with the screen-covered openings at the ends of the outer box when the inner box is in place, as shown in thev drawings. To insure an air-space between the outer and inner boxes, suitable lugs D are provided within the bottom of the inner box, and upon these lugs the inner box rests when in place, and correspondinglugs OX, arranged at suitable points upon the inner side walls of the outer box, serve to retain the inner box or compartment against lateral movement. The inner box, which is designed to contain the lunch, may be divided into any number or form of compartments desired. In the present instance I have shown a partitionwall dividing one corner of the box from the main portion of the same, this corner-compartment being adapted as a receptacle for holding any articles which it maybe designed for any reason to separate from the articles contained in the body portion of the box.

I preferably provide, in connection with the construction above described, a tray E, adapted to be fitted within the outer box and to rest upon the upper edge of the inner one, as shown. This tray, occupying, as it does, the entire space between the upper edge of the inner box and the cover of the outer one, serves, as will be readily understood, to securely hold the inner compartment of the box against vertical movement. In order to provide means whereby the screen-covered openings in the ends of the outer box may be covered when for any reason this is desired, I employ shutters F, which may be of wood, sheet metal, or any other like substance adapted to the purpose. These shutters F are attached to the inner edges of the end flanges G of the cover, which iianges it over the ends of the outer box when the cover is in place. The shutters are thus held pendent from the ends of the box-cover, and it will be readily understood that when the shutters are not designed for use the same may slid upward beneath the ends of the box-cover, as shown ICO in the drawings, the cover thus serving to hold the shutters up away from the ventilation-openings.

Any suitable means may be employed for fastening the cover in place upon the box. In the present instance I have shown ameans consisting of a strap passed around the outer box lengthwise, said strap being provided with a suitable handle H and with buckle I.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a box which while simple and inexpensive in construction is admirably adapted for the purpose for which it is intended. It will be seen that free ventilation of the box is provided for, also that when for any reason it may be desired the Ventilation-openings may be covered, thus adapting the box for use under varying conditions.

I do not desire to limit myself to any specific form or size of box, as it is at once evident that the box may be constructed of pasteboard, metal, or any material adapted for the purpose, and it may be subject to various forms of ornamentation, being provided, if

desired, with a plate for name or indicatingnumber, &c.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The lunch-box herein shown and described, the same comprising an outer box having screencovered openings in its walls, inner compartments, an air-space separating the outer from the inner compartments, a cover adapted to be iitted over the upper part of the box, and shutters secured to and hanging pendent from the inner faces of the ends of the box-cover, and adapted to normally cover the screen-openings in the outer box, and to be moved upward and held away from the screen-openings by the iianges of the boxcover, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADELIA J. OSBORNE.

Witnesses:

V. DEBRUNNER, F. E. ELLswoRTH. 

